I can’t believe it is already the end of March. I am working on this post during my spring break, which means it’s all down-hill from here! I’m posting my Friday flashback a few days early, so other bloggers can have time to link up. It was fun to do last time, and the post got quite a few hits! March has been a busy month. Here are some of the highlights.

1) Hubby’s Birthday and Mark Lowry Concert
For my husband’s birthday this month, we went to see Christian comedian Mark Lowry at a benefit concert. The concert had originally been scheduled for back in February, but had to be rescheduled due to bad weather. It was rescheduled to the day of my husband’s birthday, so it worked perfectly for a night out! Mark Lowry is not only a comedian but also a songwriter and singer. You might not know of him, but I bet you know one of the most famous Christmas songs of all times that he wrote: “Mary Did You Know?” If you have a minute, hop over to his YouTube channel. Really funny guy!

2) Easter Minis in the Studio
With Easter on its way quite a bit earlier this year than last, I decided to offer Easter minis in my studio. I wanted a simple, outdoorsy look, and I think they turned out so cute. I had over 20 little ones visit me this past week in their cute Easter frock! Now, I’ve got to get busy finishing the editing.

3) Antiques Presentations
For several years now, it has been a tradition that my students complete the Antiques Show and Tell Project in my junior English class. The idea came to me one summer after my dad and I had spent a Saturday shopping flea markets and antique stores. I would have the students go picking their own family histories and research an antique item special to them and their family. With this project, I would be able to cover so many standards from research to writing to speaking/listening. After the first time doing the project, I couldn’t have been happier with the results. Each year I learn so much about my students, they learn about each other, but what is more meaningful than all of that is how much my students benefit from talking to their families. Plus a fun sidebar: I submitted my idea to the History Channel’s A&E Idea Magazine for teachers in 2013 and won a cash prize and a spot in the magazine!

One way I get students interacting with each other and reacting to the presentations is by having them write each person a short compliment about the presentation on a piece of paper (no critiques, only compliments). Then after all the presentations are over, we cut them apart and they “deliver” them to each person so that they all have “mail.” They tell me how much they love getting the fan mail, and they sit and pour over the messages. It’s simple and free, AND it fosters an amazing classroom atmosphere.

4) Ace the Test Prize Pack Giveaway
Lauralee Moss, at The Language Arts Classroom, and I have teamed up to cohost our 2nd Annual Test Prep Giveaway for secondary teachers. It’s going on now. Click the link to enter!

5) Easter Gift Baggies for Kids’ Church

I know it’s not quite Easter yet, but this coming Sunday, we will do our final Easter lesson, craft, and goody bags for our PreK-K class at church since we don’t have Kids’ Church on Easter Sunday. I made these cute tags with a poem I wrote to attach to their jelly bean bags. The tags are free when you download the preview of my The Story of Easter Bible unit.

Here’s how to link up:

– Grab my button from above. (Just copy and paste it to the top of your blog post.)

– Write about some highlights from your month. It can be events, accomplishments, or a new product. It can be anything you want to share. I write in groups of 5 – for my Fast Five.

– Once you have your post done, come back to my blog and link it up via the linky below!

– If you want to link up next month, just watch for my post near the end of the month!

Don’t have a blog, but want to get in on the fun? Just comment below with something to share from your March!